(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Glynnis Fawkes. Fifth grader Maple is having a hard time at home: her mom and dad fight a lot, and her dad disappears after their fights. The anxiety she feels affects her school life and her relationship with her older sister and brother; drawing comics and being alone under the tree she’s named for provides some relief. Maple’s complicated feelings about her dad are portrayed sensitively and realistically; the black-and-white comics-style illustrations from Maple’s sketchbook provide additional insight into her frame of mind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns